November?

It seems like November barely came before it was already gone this year. We have had a busy month since I last updated. The big thing that happened is we put Katie in skating lessons. We had considered putting her in preschool but decided to wait as originally planned. However we needed something that she could do to burn some energy and put her in somewhat of a lesson environment. That is where skating came in. She has already come a long ways. At her first lesson as soon as she tried to walk, she found she was wobbly and decided this wasn't what she wanted, but as you can see from the video she is doing great and having fun. There are 5 three year olds in her group and she is the only girl, but she hasn't noticed.

I have no pictures of Luke this month, since he has come down with what appears to be eczema. We initially were told it was a skin infection, and he was put on antibiotics. A week later with no improvement we were told it was eczema or an allergy. We are still trying to figure that out. This has caused his skin to be really raw and his face quite puffy at times. I really wish there was more to do to help, but it appears that things are improving and hopefully that will continue. Through all of this though he is a very happy little boy, and a very busy little boy. He has recently figured out how to get into the china cabinet and a drawer on our computer cabinet. Oh oh! I don't remember Katie ever being this curious.

Blessed

I had to take a moment from washing dishes tonight to share how blessed I am feeling. Today has been one of those days with the kids that makes memories (good ones). Aaron came home feeling productive and happy with the day, and we had a great supper together as a family. I know that I need to remember all the blessings God has given me on bad days as well, but today it has hit me hard. I was washing the dishes and Aaron was on the floor in the living room with the kids. All I could hear was laughter from all 3 of them and the song Blessed from Martina McBride came to me. It is a good song, and so true. Thank you God!

Here are the lyrics to the first part of the song.

I get kissed by the sun each morning
Put my feet on a hardwood floor
I get to hear my children laughing
Down the hall through the bedroom door
Sometimes I sit on my front porch swing
Just soaking up the day
I think to myself, I think to myself
This world is a beautiful place
I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Look at me

Luke is finally sitting on his own. Sometimes not so well if his pants are too tight, or if he is wearing something bulky like a skunk costume, but overall he is doing very well, and is quite proud of himself it seems.

Halloween

Last night we went out trick or treating in our neighbourhood to a few houses and then finished off at home watching Charlotte's Web. As you can see Katie was a little clown and Luke was a little stinker (how appropriate for both)!

Remembering

As many of you already know, today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Here are the candles that we have lit to remember the babies that we know personally. Sadly, we didn't have enough candles for all of them, but the candles here are for them all. I take great comfort in knowing that they are all in heaven and are being cared for by our heavenly father, far better than any of us could have cared for them here. However, I still miss and long for them.

21.1

On Saturday our family headed over to the island for Carolyne and I to run the half marathon. After a lengthy and trying 6 hour wait we finally boarded the ferry to the island. On Sunday morning, Carolyne and I completed the Royal Victoria Half Marathon. We finished in 2:12:22, and did it without our usual walk breaks. We are both happy with our race and had a lot of fun. It was a whirlwind of a weekend with us heading home on Sunday afternoon, but looking back (with all the travel behind us) I am disappointed that it is over! I have enjoyed the break that running has provided and the shared talks that we have been able to have without interruptions. Thank you Carolyne for sharing this me. Also thank you for the photos you sent, since our camera had a dead battery when we arrived. I am already looking forward to more running. By the way to all you looking at the photos, we didn't plan on wearing the same outfits, but you can't blame us for both having good taste! :)

A Beautiful Fall Day!

Katie has been good at reminding me of "the beautiful day that God made" lately. On Friday we took advantage of that and met my cousin Carmen and her two girls at Mill Lake. We played at the playground, walked around the lake and took in a few hours the mall. I love the fall it is truely my favorite season.

Katie Turns 3

A few weeks ago we celebrated Katie's 3rd birthday with a small party. Fortunately she wasn't sick this year and was able to enjoy it to the fullest. I still can't believe though, that 3 years have gone by so quickly!

Teaching Her Students

We aren't sure where this came from, but Katie has been "teaching her students".

Luke's First Tooth

On Saturday, Luke's first tooth popped through, much to everyone's relief. He hasn't enjoyed the teething process and hopefully it will go smoother from here.

Aaron and Luke

Making Jam

I have fallen in love with making Jam. I never knew that it was so easy and so satisfying. I have so far made Strawberry Kiwi, Rhubarb and Blackberry Jam. Here is a photo of the first 2. I think I may try canning some fruit next.

Centennial Beach

A couple of weeks ago, we joined Aarons parents for supper and then headed to the beach for a bit. It was a beautiful night and the perfect way to end the day.

A Day At Play or was that Work?

While we were in Colorado we visited the Denver Childrens Museum. WOW! It was an amazing place and Katie had a blast. They had a fire truck area, Preschool area (too big to begin to explain), Vets office, Workshop, Construction Zone, Ant hole/Nature Area, Grocery Store, Art Zone, and so so much more. With Katie not quite 3, she would have been happy in even just one room for hours, but as you can see she played in several. Her favorite would have been the grocery shopping. This is rather ironic since she fights me everytime I try to take her for real. They even had an area for infants with Lily Pads to lay Luke on and mobiles above. If you ever go to Denver this is a must for those of you with kids. The whole time we were there we were wishing we could have shared it with so many of you.

Great Grandma Oster

A while ago I posted a picture of Luke with 3 of his Great Grandparents. Last week were in Colorado visiting family and I finally was able to get a photo of Luke and Katie with Aarons grandma.

A Sunday Morning Run

Almost 2 weeks ago, Carolyne and I did a 5km race here in Delta. It was a very last minute thing, and a small race but we had a lot of fun, and even got a medal out of the deal. We finished in 30:11. Next up, the Victoria half marathon in October.

Gull Lake

Last month, the kids and I spent a week at home. Like here, it had been hot, hot, hot! One evening we went to the lake a couple of miles from home. The water was warm and it was a beautiful evening, so I thought I would share some of that evening with all of you.

The Bride and Groom

Yesterday morning Katie announced to us that she was getting married and she was the bride and George (Curious George) was the groom. We thought you all might want to see the official wedding attire of the momentous occasion! A couple of days ago, Aaron suggested that she may want to wait till she was 9 to get married, but I guess she couldn't wait that long.

Hanging Around

My Ballerina

This past week Katie took ballet classes at the rec center. She had a great time and looked really cute.

Luke

Last Monday we met with Chris Monahan and had a photo shoot done with Luke. When Katie was 10 weeks we did this with her, and we wanted to do the same with Luke. Chris did an amazing job, but now we have the task of deciding what we want copies of. If you want to see what he took here is the link to our gallery.

http://www.chrismonahanphotography.com/Test/index.html

Long Hours

As many of you know, Aaron spent the last 2 weeks of June working long, long, long hours, and I essentially was a single mom. They had to complete a project in 2 weeks that they really needed 5 weeks to do. In the end, they completed it and it turned out amazing. Here are a few photos of the finished work. The size of this project was 4'x8'. Oh and yes, it is supposed to be cut in half for the commercial. Talk about talent!

Lets Go Fly A Kite

This fathers day we celebrated by going to Steveston for the afternoon. The weather was beautiful, and after lunch at Pajo's we went to Gary Point to fly Katies new kite. Sadly, my Dad bought the kite to fly with Katie, but the wind never cooperated the whole time we were at their place. However this was Curt's first time getting a kite in the air as well, so it was a memorable first flight. We will make sure to get Katie out to fly it with her other grandpa as soon as we can.

What a big boy

At our 9 week appointment Luke weighed in at a whopping 13lbs 12oz, and that was a week and a half ago. This rivals what Katie weighed at 6 months. There is definitely a difference with boys. Here is a cute shot of our big boy at 10 weeks.

Great Grandparents

This past week Luke was able to meet 3 of his 4 Great Grandparents for the first time. We hope he can meet Aarons Grandma in August. From top to bottom are Great Grandma Mckay, Great Grandpa McKay and Great Grandma Grauman.

Smiles

Luke has been smiling for a couple of weeks now, but I thought I would share some of the photos I caught recently.

Sprinkler Fun

All I want to add is that this was on Wednesday night, on Friday morning it was snowing!

Travis and Jen's Wedding

On May 31st my brother Travis got married, and yes, it was to a Jen. They were married outside at a golf course in Cochrane. The day was amazing and I couldn't be happier for them! Here are a few photos of the day. (oh and the cake was another of my Mom's projects!)